Hingot war: Over 30 injured during traditional Diwali battle in Indore; fruit-based firecrackers used

NEW DELHI: Over 30 people were injured during the traditional annual Hingot war celebration associated with Diwali at Gautampura in Indore district on Tuesday evening, where participants from two villages engaged in a battle using fruit-based firecrackers while spectators watched from behind protective barriers.Warriors from Gautampura and Runji villages participated in the event, throwing Hingot firecrackers at each other as crowds cheered them on, according to news agency PTI.Block Medical Officer Dr Vandana Kesari reported that approximately 35 participants were injured during the event. "Two of them were sent to a hospital in Depalpur as they had sustained serious injuries. One of them suffered a broken arm while the other suffered a nose injury," she said.Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sanghpriya Samrat stated that high nets and barricades were installed around the battlefield to protect spectators from flying missiles. The event was monitored by 200 police and 100 administrative personnel, with fire engines and ambulances stationed at the venue.Hingot, a wild fruit similar in size to a gooseberry, is hollowed out, dried, and filled with gunpowder to create rocket-like firecrackers for the battle.

The annual fight takes place between the 'Turra' group from Gautampura and the 'Kalangi' group from Runji, who launch burning Hingots at each other.Despite injuries occurring every year and some instances of deaths due to burns, authorities have not banned the practice due to its traditional significance.The tradition reportedly dates back 200 years to the Holkar dynasty's rule in Indore. Local legend suggests that guerrilla warriors used Hingot-based weapons against invading Mughal armies.